Get the facts

Depression can be different for everyone, but there are some common signs and symptoms:

Changes to feelings or emotions

• Feeling unhappy, moody and irritable/snappy for more than two weeks. Some people also have feelings of emptiness or numbness
• No longer enjoying things that used to be enjoyable
• Feeling worthless or guilty a lot of the time
• Feeling like everything has become ‘too hard’

Changes to thoughts

• Negative thoughts about themselves, the world and the future
• Having a hard time concentrating and making decisions, or remembering things
• Having thoughts of death or suicide.

Physical changes

• Feeling tired most of the time
• Low energy and motivation
• Having trouble sleeping (getting to sleep, staying asleep or waking up in the morning)
• Loss of interest in food or eating too much, leading to weight loss or gain
• Aches and pains that can’t be explained.

It can be tough asking for help when you’re not feeling good, no doubt about it! The good news is that most people experiencing depression can get better with the right help. While some days may be better than others, with the right support you can get back to LIVIN again.

Getting help

If you or someone you know might be suffering depression, there’s a lot of help available. Some options include:

• The first step is going to see your doctor; however, you can also contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 for advice and support on next steps if going to see a doctor is not an option for you right now.
• If you think you might act on any thoughts or plans to harm yourself, you can access crisis support 24/7 from Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
• If you have hurt yourself or need immediate support, call 000.